New Info Manual: We have just added a new Manual to our collection. It is a brand new issue which describes how to make your own Lime Dung plaster. Click here to see our Manuals.

We are also offering the complete set of Info Manuals for a reduced rate. Click here to find out more.

UPDATE: It is confirmed that a further extension until December 2011 has been granted. This gives everybody another opportunity to send their letters of support to the SABS. This is important as the SABS have already indicated that the technical committee will be voting against this code. The reasons for this have not been clarified and we therefore appeal to all to maintain the pressure.

In terms of the SADC process for adopting this code into the entire region is currently in its 5th round of votes and the deadline for submissions was meant to be for the end of June (Now December). Once this round of votes has gone through there will be a 6th and final round of votes, so it is a good idea to keep the pressure up with letters of support regardless of the deadlines. Please still do send your email / letter of support.

If any of you are interested in assisting the planet in a small but significant way you are more than welcome to assist by sending an email in support of SA adopting a green building standard, to be more precise a Rammed Earth building code. Currently in SA we cannot raise a bond to by any form of newly constructed earth building – so this would be a significant step in the right direction. See below….

There has been the UK’s leading expert in very low embedded energy building technology, rammed earth – Roland Keable – here in Cape Town earlier this week and we have been asked by him to drum up as many emails/letters of support for the adoption of Zimbabwe’s rammed earth building codes into all the SADC countries including SA’s building codes.

A letter of support is urgently needed from local stakeholders for the adaptation of Zimbabwe’s rammed earth building code of practice (already 10 years old) into all 15 of the SADC countries. This requires a majority vote in the SADC standards summit scheduled for the end of June 2011.  (Now extended to December 2011 - No exact date is yet known...)

To assist this process we need any potential stakeholders/individuals to write to The Senior Standards Officer for the SABS in support of SA voting YES for the SABS to adopt the Zimbabwe Code SADCSTAN TC1/SC5 Code of Practice for Rammed Earth Structures.

The letter/email of support should be forwarded to:

- Solly Peter, Manager - Construction Standards SABS, peterm{at}sabs{dot}co{dot}za

-  Suraiya Adam, Senior Manager Standards Division SABS, adamsa{at}sabs{dot}co{dot}za

-  Sazi Zangqa, Senior Manager Compliance and Development SABS, zangqasl{at}sabs{dot}co{dot}za

- Jacob Ramatsetse - Construction Standards SABS, ramatsjj{at}sabs{dot}co{dot}za

In the letter please quote SADCSTAN TC1/SC5 Code of Practice for Rammed Earth Structures and copy Roland Keable (rowland {at} rammed-earth{dot}info) and Andy Horn (andy{at}ecodesignarchitects{dot}co{dot}za) in please.

The OR Tambo Narrative and Environmental Centre is a project of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality in which there are the three departments directly involved in the project: Departments of Arts and Culture, Environmental Planning & Metro Parks. The brief comprises: OR Tambo Narrative Centre, Environmental Centre, Multi-Purpose Arts & Crafts workshops, Outdoor Amphitheater & the Caretaker's cottage/ Show House.

The Site is on the banks of Leeupan a natural pan which is in Benoni near Johannesburg. Eco Design Architects and Consultants were recently brought on board as the Green Consultants to assist and consult to the project team in their objective of making this an exemplary green building. The Municipality is intending for this to be a flagship project & an educational experiment that visibly demonstrates green building practices including various alternatives in conservation of energy and recycling of materials, resources & waste. Natural/ Eco-Friendly building technologies include Rammed Earth Construction, Straw Bale Construction, Adobe Construction,Urbanite (recycled concrete), Planted Roofs, Earth Floors.

In recent months Eco Design has been running workshops on site in order to train the team in the necessary natural building skills. 6 months into construction the team is currently busy raising the Rammed Earth walls. Furthermore the Adobe Brick making process is well underway.

Please click here for more info and images about this project. Watch this space as we will continue to post updates on the progress of this project.

Completion of the Mamre Info Centre – Heritage Building Project (2011): The official opening was on 16. April 2011.The building process had a strong focus on the reviving and transferring of old building techniques and skills. Most of the labour were local participants that were also involved in the material procurement phase of the project. All Adobe Bricks where made in Mamre. Alien gum and Poplar trees from close by where harvested according to the Moon Phase harvesting principles. The lime dung plaster was used from a traditional recipe that Herbert Arendse (A local old master builder from Mamre) had learnt from his grandfather. Please watch this space as Eco Design will soon launch a new Info Manual which will include this amazing plaster recipe. All timber work, joinery and all walls were finished with non toxic oils and paints. Furthermore water saving toilets and LED lighting were installed.

Finally Mamre now has a new focal point where locals and visitors can meet, visit exhibitions and get informed about Mamre's rich heritage.

For more information about this project:  http://mamrerevitalization.wordpress.com

Click here for pictures : Eco Design Project Gallery